"These are Lasius ants. Sometimes called piss ants. They tend aphids (which might be a problem for plants) but cause no direct harm to plants. So your saffron bulbs are safe but the presence of the ants might mean that there is a healthy population of aphids on some plants in the vicinity. Regards."

(heh, "piss-ants" Ok, a little puerile, but I'm amused mostly because I'm a fan of entomology as well as etymology I've heard it used a few times, really! It's in Merriam Webster:

Main Entry: piss·ant

Pronunciation: \ˈpis-ˌant\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: pissant ant, from 1piss + ant

Date: 1945

sometimes vulgar: one that is insignificant —used as a generalized term of abuse

Anyways, thus far I haven't noticed an ant problem in my herb bed, but thanks for the heads up Tom! I'll probably inspect it closely tonight and possibly give it a spray-spray of soap or neem or just knock 'em off with water.

Admittedly, it would be kind of cool (and uncool) to see ants milking aphids like farmers. But I'll just tune into the Discovery Channel (if I had tv...oh, yeah, the internet!) if I really want ant-milking-aphid action.

1 comment:

Anna
said...

HAHHA...Thanks... really... and thanks to Dr. Turpin:It's good to know my grandmother wasn't being vulgar when she would refer to a certain ant as 'piss ants'.Too bad I didn't pay close attention back then and thus had no clue regarding your photographed ants.

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Persephone

Yankee transplant from the Midwest to the Midsouth. Enjoying the weather and long growing season and making the garden her mom never allowed.
Working on her garden writing and knowledge while honing other literary pursuits.
edibleMemphis writer!
http://ediblememphis.com/